Discover the hop-on-hop-off Lisbon tour buses + 8 benefits, prices, and routes
When you’re short on time, the hop-on-hop-off Lisbon bus might be a lifesaver for your trip to the Portuguese capital! The Lisbon hop-on hop-off bus tour is convenient, fast and relatively cheap. It is, therefore, an excellent and affordable way to explore the city. What can you expect from the hop-on-hop-off bus tour in Lisbon? Discover the routes, prices, providers and more! Let’s have a look!
Discover the benefits of Lisbon’s hop-on-hop-off bus tour
The hop-on-hop-off tours in Lisbon
Just like most ancient cities and other popular holiday destinations, Lisbon offers a variety of hop-on-hop-off tour buses. It might be one of the most touristy ways to explore a city, but if your time in Lisbon is limited, the hop-on-hop-off bus tours are incredibly convenient!
Besides, it is a fantastic introductory tour of the town, which is perfect for first-time visitors! The following morning, you’ll already know your way around the city like a local. During the sightseeing trip, you’ll discover all the major tourist sights in Lisbon, such as Lisbon Cathedral, the Santa Justa Elevator, the Fado Museum (about Fado music), the Jeronimos Monastery, and many historic sites.
Three companies offer hop-on-hop-off Lisbon tours, which are Lisbon Sightseeing – Gray Line (red bus), City Sightseeing (red bus) and the Yellow Bus (bright yellow!).
The companies offer similar routes and similar tours, so depending on what you want to see, you can pick the hop-on-hop-off tour in Lisbon that is right for you. The central hub to step on board is at the top of Avenida da Liberdade, at Praça Marquês de Pombal (Marquis of Pombal Square).
Advantages and disadvantages of bus tours
Let’s first look at some of the benefits and disadvantages of Lisbon hop-on-hop-off tour buses.
Benefits of the
hop-on-hop-off Lisbon
Drawbacks
of the bus tours
The tour routes of the hop-on-hop-off Lisbon
Depending on the route you choose, the bus tours stop at all main sights such as Mercado da Ribeira (Time Out Market), Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, Torre de Belém, Marquês de Pombal Square, Museu do Azulejo, Cais do Sodré, the National Palace, and Portas do Sol. Let’s explore all options and look at the bus routes in-depth.
The Yellow Bus Tours
The Yellow Bus offers one or 2-day (24 or 48 hours) bus tours in Lisbon. The tour includes an audio guide, and the ticket provides access to public transport and funiculars. The open-top double-decker bus is convenient for visiting the Belém Tower, Avenida da Liberdade, Rossio Square and the Oceanarium in Lisbon. From € 22,00.
There are two routes to choose from: the Belém Lisbon hop-on hop-off and the Modern Lisbon hop-on hop-off. Your ticket is valid for the line you select.
The Belém Lisbon highlights are: Praça da Figueira – Restauradores – Marquês de Pombal – El Corte Inglés Shopping Center – Parque Eduardo VII – Basílica da Estrela – Museu dos Coches (Coach Museum) – Mosteiro dos Jerónimos (Jeronimos Monastery) – Torre de Belém (Belém Tower) – Padrão dos Descobrimentos (Monument of the Discoveries) – MAAT (Museum of Museum of Art, Architecture and Technology).
The Modern Lisbon route: Praça da Figueira – Restauradores – Avenida da Liberdade – Lisbon Cruise Terminal – Museu do Azulejo (Tile Museum) – Oceanário (Oceanarium, Lisbon Aquarium) – Vasco da Gama Shopping Torre Vasco da Gama ( Vasco da Gama Tower).
Hop-on-hop-off Lisbon map Yellow Bus Tour
Lisbon Sightseeing – Gray Line
Lisbon Sightseeing – Gray Line offers bus tours for 24, 48, or 72-hours. Tickets are available from € 24,00, and there are several routes to choose from. There is an audio guide in 14 languages, and a boat tour can be included when selected.
The Belém Line (Red Line) is perfect for visiting all the highlights in Belém. Stoüs include Marquês de Pombal – Time Out Market – the Ancient Art Museum – the Coach Museum – Jeronimos Monastery – Belém Tower – MAAT – Estrela – El Corte Inglès.
The Castle Line (Green Line) will bring you along the cobblestone streets of Alfama to Sāo Jorge Castle. Please note the Castle Line bus is a single-decker bus due to the small streets. This bus route covers Marquês de Pombal – Martim Moniz – Portas do Sol – Graça – São Vicente de Fora (and flea market Feira da Ladra on Tuesdays and Saturdays). After visiting the cobbled streets of Alfama, it’s great to enjoy some Fado music in one of the many restaurants in this neighbourhood.
The Oriente Line (Blue Line) travels further east of Lisbon to the Oceanarium and Oriente Station. It is also perfect to reach Vasco da Gama Shopping Center, the Tile Museum, the Cruise Terminal and Santa Apolónia Station.
The Cascais Line (Orange: Lisboa – Cascais and Yellow: Cascais – Lisboa) follows the River Tagus and stops in several places along the water. With the Cascais Line, you can visit Estoril, Carcavelos, and the Jerónimos Monastery.
City Sightseeing Portugal
City Sightseeing Portugal offers four different routes in an open-top bus. The buses pass all major sights, including 42 stops in total. All tours start at Marques de Pombal and are available between 10 AM and 6 PM. Prices begin at €30.00, which includes audio guide commentary in 13 languages.
The Blue Line is perfect for seeing the Principe Real district and the lively neighbourhood of Barrio Alto. The Purple Line is for visiting Belém and all the historical sights, whereas the Green Line explores Alfama and Castle Sāo Jorge.
Prices for hop-on-hop-off Lisbon
Most buses offer a 24 or 48-hour ticket, and the price starts at € 22,00. This is fantastic value considering the number of sights you’ll drive to and compared to other cities! It’s more expensive than public transport, but if you want to visit the Santa Justa Lift and ride Tram 28 (the famous yellow trams), it’s well worth getting a hop-on-hop-off ticket.
These attractions charge a higher fee than a regular public transport ticket. If you want to know more about public transportation in Lisbon and prices, click here.
Children under six can usually enter the buses for free (check with the provider), and older children enjoy a discounted price.
Extra options and bus times
The hop-on, hop-off bus tours come with many add-ons. For example, you can extend the route to Cascais, add a tram tour, or enjoy a trip on a boat. Most providers have excellent options to choose from at the time of booking.
Most buses run every 25 minutes between 9 AM and 7 PM in the summer. The times are slightly different in the winter, running between 9:30 AM and 5 PM. Your ticket will have all the necessary information, depending on when you book the Lisbon bus tour.
Get your tickets today!
Yellow Bus Tours
Multiple routes are available to the major sights in Lisbon and Belém, including access to Carris Lisbon Public Trams and discounts to national monuments. From € 22,00.
The Yellow Bus
Lisbon Sightseeing – Gray Line
Hop-on-hop-off for 24 or 48-hours. Enjoy different routes in Lisbon, Belém, Cascais and other locations. Routes throughout Lisbon and beyond. From € 24,00.
Gray Line bus tours
Yellow Bus + Boat Tour
Not only will you discover Lisbon by bus, but a boat tour on the Tagus is also included! Enjoy the views over the hills of Lisbon and the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge. From € 24,00.
Yellow Line + Boat
Hop-on-hop-off including Tram Tour
A visit to Lisbon is only complete with a ride on a historical tram! With this 72 or 96-hour ticket, you’ll enjoy the bus routes and a ride with a tram, boat and public transport system. Best value! From € 47,00 for 3 or 4 days.
Bus + Tram
Other ways to see the city
Besides enjoying the hop-on-hop-off Lisbon to see all the top attractions, you can also explore the beautiful city by boat! The Tagus River Yellow Boat Cruise is a fantastic way to see Lisbon from the water!
Tickets cost € 22,00 and include all public transport with Carris (including funiculars and the Santa Justa Lift). It is great value to spend time travelling through Lisbon! You can spot the Tower of Belém and other Lisbon landmarks from the water.
The Hills Red Tram Tour is perfect if you prefer to travel the same route as Tram 28 but at your own pace. Tram 28 gets very busy; sometimes, you’ll have to wait for over an hour in line! Once on board, there might not be a place to sit.
The Hills Red Tram Tour is less busy, and you can see the same areas along the way. This ticket is also valid for 24 hours, so you don’t have to pay each time you board.
Lisbon hop-on-hop-off bus tour or Lisboa Card?
If you’re in the city briefly, the hop-on-hop-off Lisbon will give you much value for money for one or two days. Besides, getting around Lisbon is easy as the bus will take you everywhere!
But if you want more freedom, a heap of discounts, and you have a bit more time, the Lisboa Card might be a better value. With the Lisboa Card, you can travel free with public transport (but not with the hop-on-hop-off). In addition, you also get discounts for many sights, tours, attractions, leisure activities, and restaurants.
For example, you can visit the Azulejo Tile Museum, the Coach Museum, the Jerónimos Monastery, Torre de Belém, Lisboa Story Centre, and Elevador de Santa Justa entirely for free! So, if you plan on visiting any of these sights, the Lisboa Card will give you more value that day. Please note many attractions are closed in Lisbon on Mondays. Using your Lisboa Card on any other day of the week might be best.
FAQ
Conclusion
The hop-on-hop-off buses are fantastic for discovering Lisbon. Especially if you’re short of time, taking a hop-on-hop-off bus tour will quickly get you from point A to B! With so many separate routes, it is easy to explore not only the city but also surrounding areas such as Cascais. Each line has about a dozen stops, so getting around the major attractions becomes effortless. This way, you can discover Lisbon at your own leisure pace.
Would you use the Lisbon hop-on-hop-off buses during your stay in the Portuguese capital, or do you prefer to use the public transport system in Lisbon?
The bus tours do look like a great way to see Lisbon if you want to see the tourist sites. I’m more of a get off the beaten path person so not sure I’d love it but maybe for a day!
I love discovering a city on foot, but a hop on hop off bus can be practical if you don’t have a lot of time for exploring or if you can’t walk that far, but still want to explore.
They are a great way to see the city as well when you are feeling a little jetlagged or tired from non-stop sightseeing by foot.
I love hop on hop off buses. They are such a great introduction to a new city. I haven’t done the Lisbon bus – but am sure I will when I get there.
Hop on hop off buses get a lot of hate but I really think they are a great introduction to a new city, especially for those who can’t walk too far or only have a short amount of time! Will definitely look at trying one when I finally get to experience Lisbon!
Thanks for sharing a detailed guide on using the hop-on, hop-off buses in Lisbon. It seems like the perfect way to get around. I’ll keep this article in mind for our trip there!
I LOVE hop-on hop-off buses! They are really considered to be quite “touristy”, but I find that when I arrive at a new destination, it is simply a great way to get to know the place better super fast! Great info on the Lisbon card as well, such a great city – so much to do! That was really helpful!